Media dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser ( 1 ) comprises a reservoir ( 7 ) and a plunger pump ( 8 ), the medium inlet ( 3 ) of which pierces a closure ( 45 ) of the reservoir ( 7 ), after which the medium can be discharged metered from the reservoir ( 7 ) by repeated strokes with the pump ( 8 ). Until used the medium thus remains hermetically sealed.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a dispenser suitable for discharging orstoring particulate media, more particularly however for at least aflowable medium. Each of these media may be liquid, pasty, powderyand/or gaseous.

[0002] In medical hypodermic syringes or the like the dispenser consistsof a barrel including a piston and an injection needle serving both asan inlet and outlet for the medium. Contrary thereto, these passages inthe subject matter of the invention are separate or provided spaced awayfrom each other, e.g. at ends of a body facing away from each otherthrough which the medium flows and which may be a valve or pump body.This body may comprise three, four or more inner widths each differingfrom the other and offset from each other and house at least two, threeor more components internally. In addition, the body comprises means,such as a flange for connecting a base which may be solely a mediumreservoir or comprise a medium reservoir.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention is based on the object of providing a dispenserwhich avoids the disadvantages of known configurations or of the citedhypodermic syringes. More particularly it is the intention that at leastone of the medium passages is suitable for piercing diaphragms, tissueor the like. Furthermore, closures or walls are intended to be opened bythe dispenser by simple ways and means. Handling of the dispenser isrequired to be simple.

[0004] In accordance with the invention the body comprises a freelyprotruding piercing or opening member such as a hollow or pointedpiercing needle of a material whose properties correspond to those ofsteel or hardened steel. The piercing member may have an outer width ofless than 2 mm or a wall thickness which is greater than half ortwo-thirds of the inner width. When the piercing member is used as theoutlet, injections can be implemented with the dispenser. When used asan inlet the dispenser can be sealingly connected by the piercing actionto a medication cartridge, such as a carpule. Although the piercingmember could be mounted movable on the body in overcoming a springforce, it is however expediently non-releasably connected thereto, e.g.by the injection molding action when the body is molded in a plasticsmaterial. All parts of the dispenser or with the exception of one ormore springs may be injection molded or plastics parts. The dispenser isdesigned for holding and simultaneous actuation of all of its functionssingle-handedly.

[0005] Provided in the body are expedient communicating paths for themedium, at least one of which is variable as regards its length orcommunicating cross-section. For this purpose a piston, a valve or someother control element may be provided in the body. Preferably thedispenser comprises a pump, such as a plunger pump comprising one ormore manually actuatable valves or one or more pressure relief valves.

[0006] It is particularly expedient when the body and a medium reservoirforms a preassembly so that in the starting position the piercing memberhas yet to open the reservoir, it not being until manually actuated thatthe reservoir is first opened and subsequently the medium exchangedbetween the reservoir and the body due to both then intercommunicating.

[0007] The outlet may be configured for dispensing droplets, a jet ofthe medium, or as an atomizing nozzle. Preferably the outlet is providedat a nozzle suitable for insertion into a bodily opening of a patient.

[0008] The body or the element provided for penetration of the piercingmember may be shielded outwardly partly, mostly or totally so thatprotection from damage is assured. Each piston of the dispenser may be avalve and/or a displacement element.

[0009] To advantage the dispenser comprises two finger rests locatedtransversely to the direction of the stroke and spaced away from eachother which approach each other on actuation and are suitable for boththe piercing stroke and a pumping stroke or for a filling stroke bywhich the medium in the reservoir is communicated into the region of themedium inlet. Each of these strokes may be counteracted by a restraintat the start of the stroke which can be defeated by a sudden increasedactuating force, after which the forces counteracting the furtheractuatation are instantly many times less than the restraining forces tothus permit achieving high flow rates of the medium or a highimpingement velocity of the piercing member on piercing.

[0010] Piercing may require overcoming a spring force independently ofthe piercing cross-section to thus preserve the piercing member and thepiercing cross-section due to piercing being attentuated by the springforce and is also powered when the spring force is sufficiently high.Expediently, however, the spring is rigidly supported and only theelement to be pierced is elastic.

[0011] Reference is made to the German patents pending 196 10 457, 19739 990 and 196 37 101 in including the features and effects thereof inthe present invention.

[0012] These and further features read not only from the claims but alsofrom the description and the drawings. Each of the individual featuresis achieved by itself or severally in the form of sub-combinations inone embodiment of the invention and in other fields and may representadvantageous aspects as well as being patentable in its own right, forwhich protection is sought in the present. Sectioning the applicationincluding sub-titling does not restrict the general validity of thecomments made thereunder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Example embodiments of the invention are explained in more detailin the following and illustrated in the drawings in which:

[0014]FIG. 1 is an axial section in part through the dispenser inaccordance with the invention,

[0015]FIG. 2 is an illustration of a further embodiment of that as shownin FIG. 1 and

[0016]FIG. 3 is an illustration of a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Referring now to the FIGS. there is illustrated the dispenser 1containing a body 2 comprising as medium passages at one end an inlet 3and at the other end one or more outlets 4, 4 a for the media. The body2 is rigidly secured by the connecting means 5 on a base 6 to a part ofthe body. The base 6 may comprise a hollow element 7, such as a mediumreservoir or a medication cartridge or carpule, or be formed simply bythis hollow or otherwise configured element. The body 2 comprises a pump8 or plunger pump as well as a closure or valve assembly 9 and apiercing member 10, the latter being a hollow needle of metal whoseproximal end forms a sharp tip by a slanting or oval face adjoining theouter circumference cylindrical throughout. The inlet 3 is thus locatedat an acute angle or transversely to the longitudinal centerline of theneedle.

[0018] The dispenser 1 comprises a longitudinal train of three units 11to 13 of which the second unit 12 is movable relative to the first unit11 and the third unit 13 relative to the second unit 12 and togethertherewith relative to the first unit 11, namely axially shiftable. Thesecond unit 12 supports movably or axially shiftable the reservoir 7 aswell as stationary the cited part of the body 2 belonging to the secondunit 12. One advantagous configuration of the pump 8 is evident indetail from FIG. 3. The cited body part consists of an integralelongated main element 33 and an integral as well as shorter cover 34forming a pump or valve body.

[0019] Provided axially shiftable in this body 33, 34 is a piston unit14 including a piston 15 sealingly sliding at the inner circumference ofthe body and defining a variable-volume chamber such as a pumpingchamber 16. The plunger 17 of the piston unit 14 adjoining the piston 15protrudes through the cover 34 from the body 33, 34 and is fixedlyconnected via a connector to a head 18 serving as the actuatable anddischarge head. The cited parts are located in the longitudinalcenterline 20 of the dispenser 1 to which the axis 21 of the outlet 4porting into the environment as shown in FIG. 1 may be locatedtransversely or at right angles or, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, parallelthereto or in the same axis. This outlet 4 is provided at thecircumference of the head 18 or at the free end thereof.

[0020] The valve assembly 9 comprises in the body 33, 34 an inlet valve22 located between the chamber 16 and the secured end of the cannula orneedle 10. Also located in the body 33, 34 is an outlet valve 23, thetwo valve elements of which are arranged on the unit 14. The movablevalve element is formed by the inner circumference of the hollow piston15 whose sleeve shank forms the valve spring for closing the valve. Alsolocated within the body 33, 34 is a vent valve 25 of a vent 26 forventing the reservoir should the reservoir space thereof not be variablein volume. The movably valve element of the vent valve 25 is likewiseformed by the piston 15 whilst the valve seat is formed by the body orits cover 34. Air is able to flow from the environment along the plunger17 into the body 33, 34 and from there through an opening in the bodywall into the reservoir.

[0021] Provided furthermore in the head 18 of the variable-length body 2is an outlet valve 24, the valve element of which is located directlyadjoining the outlet 4. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 the piston unit 14 isspring-loaded in the starting position by a return spring 27 located inthe chamber 16. In the starting position the unit 14 is positivelylocated by a stop or closing of the vent valve 25 so that when thestroke commences, the vent valve 25 opens. The outlet valve 24 is closedby a spring 28. Each of the valves 22 to 25 may be a pressure reliefvalve or a valve to be manually actuatable by a stroke as well asclosing by being stopped at its valve faces or configured as a spoolvalve. As of the valve 23 the unit 14 or the plunger 17 is penetratedinternally by an outlet passage 29, the end of which forms the outlet.The plunger connection with the head 18 is releasable by being pulledoff axially, the outlet 4 a at the end of the plunger 17 being locatedwithin the head 18.

[0022] The needle bore of the member 10 forms an inlet passage 30 foradjoining to the reservoir 7 via the opening 3, the inlet passage 30directly porting against the valve element, such as a ball of the valve22 and thus directly porting into the chamber 16 when valve 22 is open.The inner, shorter end of the piercing member 10 is rigidly secured tothe main element 33 by a fastener 31, namely clingingly surrounded bythe inner end section 32 of the main element 33 and supported againstthrust loads by being positively stopped by its inner end surface area.The main element 33 of the body protrudes including the piercing member10 between the majority of its length as well as at the outercircumference into the unit 12 without contacting the latter.

[0023] The cover 34 is non-releasably connected to the flared end of theelement 33 by a snapper and is located by the majority of its lengthoutside of the unit 12. Provided at the body or cover 34 is a radiallyprotruding annular flange 35 with which the body 33, 34 is axiallytensioned against an end surface area of the unit 12. A seal 36 or afilter 37 may be clamped in place between the flange 35 and this endsurface area, this filter 37 likewise enabling the reservoir 7, asdescribed, to be vented. Provided for tensioning is a fastener such as acrimp ring or an outer sleeve of the unit 12. The head 18 is preventedfrom being pulled off from the piston unit 14 or from the body 33, 34 bya positive lock 39 located within the cap 19 of the head 18 or totallywithin the body 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the head 18 comprises afreely protruding nozzle 40 for introducing into a bodily opening, suchas a nostril. The end of the nozzle 40 is formed by a face wall 41 whichis penetrated by the outlet passage 29 or outlet 4. As evident from FIG.1 the shell of the cap of the head 18 is penetrated in this way, theface wall of the cap forming the finger rest 44. The nozzle 40 protrudesintegrally from the face wall of the cap 19 so that the finger rest 44is located on both sides of the nozzle 40. The other finger rest 43 isformed by the end of the unit 11 facing away from the finger rest 44.

[0024] The tip of the needle 10 is located slightly spaced away from thereservoir 7 or axially opposite one of the walls or the like. This wallis a closure or a diaphragm 45 sealingly closing off the dischargeopening of the reservoir 7 and locked and tensioned in place by anannular fastener such as a crimp ring 49. The diaphragm 45 is made offlexible rubber several millimeters thick and may be reduced inthickness in the region to be pierced, The diaphragm 45 is inserted in aconstricted neck of the reservoir 7 and tensioned against a ringshoulder in the interior of this neck, the crimp ring 49 being locatedat the outer circumference without contacting it. The end 50 of thereservoir 7 facing away from the diaphragm 45 is open to a degree whichis constant up to the neck so that the inner circumference forms arunway for closure members or pistons 51, 52.

[0025] Between the two pistons 51, 52 a chamber 53 and between piston 52and diaphragm 45 a medium space 54 is sealingly defined in the interiorof the reservoir 7. Each of the chambers 53, 54 may be filled with oneof the cited media totally or partly or maximally by half. A closure tobe opened or a valve 56 serves to flowingly communicate the two chambers53, 54 e.g. so that the medium can be transferred from the chamber 53further removed from the closure 45 into the chamber 54 by a singlestroke in a single direction when the outlet 4 is located upwards. Thevalve 56 is a spool valve the shiftable valve element of which forms thepiston 52 and which at the inner circumference of the reservoir 7comprises bypass channels for connecting the chambers 53, 54.

[0026] The exposed outer surface area of the units 11 to 13 are formedby sleeve or cap-shaped single elements 46 to 48 which can be shiftinglytelescoped into each other. As shown in FIG. 1 the single elements 46,48 of the units 11, 13 surround the ends facing away from each other ofthe single element 47 of the unit 12 which can be totally nested in thesingle elements 46, 48. As shown in FIG. 2 the single element 46 engagesthe interior of the unit 12. Each of the single elements 46 to 48 isconfigured integral. The circumferential surface areas facing each otherof the interengaging single elements are guided in a sliding seal orslightly spaced away from each other. The element 46 comprisesinternally a plunger 57 oriented against the piston 51 which in thestarting position as shown in FIG. 1 is located spaced away from thepiston 51 and, as shown in FIG. 2, is in contact with the piston 51. Theplunger 57 protrudes into the end 50 without contacting it and isaxially shiftable in a sliding guide or sleeve of the element 46, namelyin overcoming the force of the compression spring 59 belonging to thespring means 58 which may also include the compressible gas or airfillings in the chambers 53, 54.

[0027] Depending on the requirements, on the filling stroke first thediaphragm 45 is pierced and then with a subsequent stroke in the samedirection the filling transferred from the chamber 53 into the chamber54 or, in special circumstances first the filling is transferred beforethe diaphragm 45 is pierced.

[0028] As evident from FIG. 1 squeezing both finger rests 43, 44 shiftsfirst the unit 11 in shortening the length of the dispenser 1 in thedirection 62 until the reservoir 7 has been slaved in the proximalmovement to such an extent that the piercing member 10 has pierced thediaphragm 45, it not being until then that the plunger 57 is released ormoved relative to the reservoir 7 until it comes up against the piston51, slaving it in its movement. Once the chamber 53 has been totallyfilled with non-compressible fluid or with the presence of acorresponding slaving element the piston 52 is simultaneously slaved inthe movement of the piston 51. When the filling of the chamber 53 ispartly compressible or when some other flexible connection existsbetween the pistons, the piston 52 first remains stationary until asufficiently high compressive or spring tension has been achieved, itnot being until the chamber 53 has been reduced in size that also thepiston 52 is slaved in the movement. This results in the piston 52attaining a position in which the valve 56 is opened and the piston 51is urged further until it comes up against the piston 52 so that themedium is transferred from the chamber 53 totally into the chamber 54where it admixed with the medium contained therein or forms a solutiontherewith.

[0029] This stroke can now be terminated or further continued tocompress the medium in the chamber 54. The spring means 58 damp thisstroke whereby the compression spring 59 is pretensioned and the piston51 urged with a delay relative to the stroke 62, namely once the unit 11has attained the corresponding end position before the piston 51 or inadvance movement before that of the piston 51, the transfer velocitybeing dictated by the compression spring 59 in avoiding excessively highpressures in the chamber 54. At the end of this stroke the units 11, 12are interlocked, e.g. by radially flexible snappers 63 of the element 47which automatically snap into place in complementary members 64 such asopenings in the shell of the element 46 and are then tensioned with zeroclearance by the compression spring 59. The lock 39 is also able to movethe piston 51 only until it contacts the piston 52 without slaving thebody 2 in its movement, as a result of which and due to totally emptyingof the chamber 53 also the optimum mixing ratio of the media isattained. The compression spring 59 is, however, also able to move thepiston 52 sufficiently in the direction 62 so that the chamber 54 has aprecisely predefined volume which then corresponds to the rated deliveryto be dispensed by the dispenser. On this movement the air is totallyexpelled from the chamber 54 the same as any volume of the nongaseousmedium or mixture exceeding the rated delivery. For this purpose thetravel of the plunger 57 in the direction 62 may be directly defined bythe stop, e.g. with a flexible snapper engaging a longitudinal guide inthe sliding sleeve. The spring 59 is then also tensioned in this end orstop position. The stop may also act directly on the spring 59.

[0030] During the stroke 62 the unit 13 is blocked from being actuatablein the opposite direction, a postive lock or block being provided forthis purpose between the open end of the cap 18, 48 and the lockingmember 63. The locking member 60 thereof is a ring or a sleeve snuglysurrounding the element 47 and which can be sheared off or radiallypulled off so that it is also suitable to thwart tampering. A correspondlock 65 affects the sequence of functions as described and also opposesthe stroke 62. As shown in FIG. 1 the lock 65 first slaves the reservoir7 in its movement until the diaphragm 45 has been pierced so that thelock 65 can then be defeated by applying a sufficiently high actuatingforce instantly resulting in a substantially smaller resistance beingoffered to the stroke 62 up to the end of the stroke. The locking member66 of the chamber 54 is a ring surrounding the plunger 57 and comprisingspaced away from and between its outer and inner circumference aweakened zone or frangible location 67. The ring part located outside ofthe frangible location 67 is supported against movements in thedirection 61 by an inner shoulder of the element 46 and the inner ringpart is supported against movements in the direction 62 by the endsurface area of the reservoir 7. Once the travel of the stroke 62 inopening the diaphragm has been completed, after which the needle 10 isdefined relative to the diaphragm 45, the inner ring part shears fromthe outer ring part at the frangible location 67 following initialflexible deformation and the plunger 57 commences its stroke in thedirection 62.

[0031] In the first portion of the stroke 62 the reservoir 7 is thusshifted in the direction 62 prior to the locking member 60 beingreleased, the needle 10 piercing the diaphragm 45 without contacting themember 59 to thus communicate the inlet 3 with the chamber 54. Duringthe shifting movement the reservoir 7 is slidingly guided by the innercircumference of the element 47, it executing a purely axial or also arotative helical movement. For this purpose the wall of the reservoir 7of constant thickness forms in the region of the valve 56 radiallyprotruding cams guided in axial or steep helical grooves in the innercircumference of the element 47.

[0032] Once the lock 60 has been released the element 48 including thepiston unit 14 can then be moved relative to the units 11, 12, 33, 34 inthe direction 61 with a further shortening of the dispenser 1 over apumping or valve-opening stroke by the finger rests 43, 44 beingactuated so that the chamber 16 is made smaller and exhausted beforethen being filled with part of the medium from the chamber 54 on thereturn stroke powered by the return spring 27 through the passage 30 andwith opening of the valve 23. On the next stroke 61 the medium iscompressed in the chamber 16, as a result of which valve 22 closeswhilst valve 23 is opened and the medium propelled by the piston 15 andthe plunger 17 into the interior of the head 18 as well as up to valve24 which likewise opens in being subjected to the pressure of themedium, namely by movement of the internal valve element in thedirection 61 whereas the opening movement of the valve element of valve23 is opposed. After each return stroke chamber 16 is refilled fromchamber 54 and on each subsequent stroke the thus metered amount ofmedium is discharged from the outlet 4.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2 there is illustrated how first the unit13 is moved over the stroke 61 to thus make chamber 16 smaller andexhaust it, it not being until then that the transfer fill or piercingthe diaphragm 45 can take place. Expediently, first the reservoir 7 isslaved in the movement in direction 62 and the diaphragm 45 pierced bythe needle 10, after which transfer filling the chamber 54 occurs. Thefinger rest 43 is then located in the plane of the corresponding end ofelement 47 into which element 46 has been totally nested. Releasing thefinger rest 44 then causes the pump 8 to execute the return stroke andchamber 16 is instantly filled with the medium from chamber 54. Openingthe diaphragm 45 prevents an excessive pressure or overpressurematerializing in chamber 54 which would be communicated by the valve 56into chamber 53.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2 the fastener 38 is formed by a separate member68, such as a sleeve, which tensions the flange 35 in the direction 62against an inner ring shoulder at the end of the element 47 and isdefined (not shown) relative to the element 47. At the innercircumference of the sleeve 68 the reservoir 7 is shiftingly guided. Todefine the piercing depth of the needle 10 a stop 69 may protrude beyondthe outer circumference thereof, the needle coming up against the outerface of the diaphragm 45 at the end of the pumping stroke flexibly. Therestraint 65 in this case is formed by the snappers 67 of the element 46engaging openings in the shell of the element 47 and which in thestarting position positively prevent the elements 46, 47 from beingpulled apart.

[0035] All features of each embodiment may also be provided in any otherembodiment and thus all passages of the description apply in sense toall embodiments. The features and effects may be provided precisely oronly substantially or roughly as cited and may deviate more therefromdepending on the requirements. The reservoir 7 of the dispenser 1permits storage of the medium hermetically sealed until used.

What is claimed is:
 1. A media dispenser including a body (2)communicating the flow of the medium and comprising separate mediumpassages namely a medium inlet (3) and a medium outlet (4, 4 a) as wellas means (5) for connecting to a base (6) such as a reservoir (7)wherein at least one of said medium passages is defined by a piercingmember (10).
 2. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein saiddispenser comprises one of the two features: a) it including a valvebody (33), b) it including a pump body (35).
 3. The dispenser as setforth in claim 1 wherein said medium inlet (3) is defined by saidpiercing member (10) comprising at least one of the features: a) itincluding at least one piercing tip, b) it being made of metal, c) itsexposed length being shorter than said body (2, 33, 34) d) it beingnon-releasably connected to said body (2, 33, 34), e) it engaginginternally said body (2, 33, 34), f) it porting against at least onevalve (22, 23, 24) in said body g) it porting against a piston unit (14)shiftingly located in said body, h) a stop (69) protruding beyond itscircumference and i) it being formed as a hollow needle.
 4. Thedispenser as set forth in claim 2 wherein said piston unit (14) ismovable relative to said piercing member (10) and defines in said pumpbody (33, 34) a pumping chamber (16), more particularly said valve beingat least an outlet valve (23, 24) shiftable with said piston unit (14).5. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said piston unit (14)communicates a flow of said medium.
 6. The dispenser as set forth inclaim 1 wherein said medium outlet (4) passes through a wall (41) spacedaway from said piercing member (10), said wall (41) being provided at acap (19) comprising a finger rest (44).
 7. The dispenser as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said dispenser comprises a pump body (33, 34) and saidpump body (33, 34) protrudes into said cap (19).
 8. The dispenser as setforth in claim 1 wherein a diaphragm (45) of said base (6) is locatedopposite said piercing member (10) which is movable relative to saiddiaphragm up to being pierced, said piercing member (10) and saiddiaphragm (45) being mounted on a basic element (47) of said base (6).9. The dispenser as set forth in claim 8 wherein a hollow body (7, 68)of said base (6) as well as said pump body (33, 34) are shielded fromsaid basic element (47).
 10. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1wherein for moving said piercing member (10) said base (6) comprises twosingle elements (46, 47) mutually shiftable over a stroke (62), of whichsaid first single element (46) supports said reservoir (7) and saidsecond single element (47) supports said pump body (33, 34).
 11. Thedispenser as set forth in claim 10 wherein said reservoir (7) isshiftingly located on said second single element (47).
 12. The dispenseras set forth in claim 10 wherein at least one restraint (65) opposingsaid stroke (62) is provided which has substantially greater freedom ofmovement once its restraining action is defeated.
 13. The dispenser asset forth in claim 1 wherein said reservoir (7) is a medicationcartridge, such as a carpule, assigned to said piercing member (10) andits interior space is open at its end remote from said piercing member(10).
 14. The dispenser as set forth in claim 13 wherein said reservoir(7) movingly mounts at least one closure member (51, 52) and saidclosure member (51, 52) is a piston movable in said medium reservoir.15. The dispenser as set forth in claim 13 wherein two closure members(51, 52) are movingly arranged on said medium reservoir assigned to saidpiercing member (10), one closure member (52) separating two separatemedium spaces (53, 54) from each other.
 16. The dispenser as set forthin claim 15 wherein a valve (56) is provided for connecting said mediumspaces (53, 54).
 17. The dispenser as set forth in claim 13 wherein aplunger (57) is movable into said interior space assigned said piercingmember (10), the volume of said interior space being variable by meansof said plunger (57).
 18. The dispenser as set forth in claim 17 whereinsaid plunger (57) is arranged on said first single element (46).
 19. Thedispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein means (58) for spring-loadingsaid base (6) are provided.
 20. The dispenser as set forth in claim 19wherein the volume of said interior space of said medium reservoir isvariable with the aid of a spring (59) and said plunger (57) isspring-loaded.
 21. The dispenser as set forth in claim 1 wherein means(58) for spring-loading said closure member (51, 52) assigned saidpiercing member (10) are provided.
 22. The dispenser as set forth inclaim 21 wherein the volume of said interior space of said mediumreservoir is variable with the aid of a spring (59) and said plunger(57) is spring-loaded.